Mto wa Mbu (“mosquito river” in Swahili) is a small village located between Ngorongoro and Manyara in Northern Tanzania approximately 74 miles (120 km) from Arusha town. Teeming with over 120 different tribes (Chagga, Maasai, Sukuma, Makonde and others), Mto wa Mbu village is a one stop center for an amazingly rich cultural experience and encounter.
Mto wa Mbu is one of the cultural villages you can explore while on a safari to Tanzania. This area is such a unique place and it has a mixture of everything and you can explore cultures of over 120 ethnic tribes that live here. The fact that they live here in harmony is another thing you out to explore and how they make this happen. Cultural tours in Tanzania have gown a lot and you can explore juts like all the other tours like the wildlife safaris. You can add this cultural tour to your other adventure in Ngorongoro conservation area. The 120 tribes will give you a chance to explore their food, lifestyle, beliefs and many more.
When you visit the Mto wa Mbu, you are a not only adventuring the area but contributing to the welfare o this community and also creating employment. Visiting his community means you are indirectly contributing to conservation.
This Mto wa Mbu village is one of the busiest areas around the lake Manyara and Tarangire national park. The are is located within a very beautiful landscape and they are on the roué that head to the Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti National park, this means you have a chance to see then on your way or out of the two conservation areas. The villages are located within the east Africa Rift Valley. The village is about 120 kilometers from Arusha City and about 60 kilometers from the Ngorongoro conservation area.
There are lodges, campgrounds, cafés, petrol stations, forex bureaus, souvenir shops, and just about anything else that would attract a passing safari vehicle to stop and enjoy.
The Maasai Market
The banana beer is one of the products you ought to look out for. It’s a very unique brew and holds a lot of prestige here. The market is full of many products since there are a lot of people from different backgrounds. It’s called a Masai Market since they are the most dominant group here. There are many traditional meals for you to choose from. You will be guided by your guide. The market tour can extend to the Masai Bomas where you can spend your night if you wish for and experience Masai culture first hand. The weekly market happens on Thursday. You can also hike the Balaa hill up from the rift valley.
While in Mto wa Mbu
- Immerse yourself in this pot of different cultures and traditions from all over Tanzania. With a simple stroll through the village on your way to or from your safari in Ngorongoro conservation area.
- Go on a walking tour.
- Go on a hiking tour on Balaa hill.
- Biking tours around the village and to Lake Manyara are available.
- Visit the local market and check out the different stalls of spices, fruits and different foods.
- Visit the traditional crafts shops.
- Visit a traditional bar, see how the traditional millet and banana beer called “Mbege” is brewed. You could try it too. This beer is brewed and drunk by the people of the Chagga tribe.
- Engage in different traditional farming practices and experiences.
While in the village, you can get a chance to see some wildlife like…. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles as the village is located near Lake Manyara National Park.
On your safari to Northern Tanzania, consider a stop over at Mto wa Mbu village. Experience an interestingly unique blend of nature and culture.
Visit Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania with these recommended Tanzania tour operators or contact us below to book your safari directly through this website.
